Description
Chicago’s legendary deep-dish pizza delight showcases layers of cheesy, saucy goodness. Crisp crust cradles rich ingredients, promising a memorable Italian-American culinary experience for hungry pizza enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 2 ½ cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsps active dry yeast
- 1 cup (240 ml) warm water
- 1 cup (240 ml) pizza sauce
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup (75 g) sliced mushrooms
- ½ cup (75 g) sliced green bell peppers or jalapeños
- Pepperoni slices
- Additional shredded mozzarella
- Pepperoni and vegetables for garnish
Instructions
- Yeast Activation: Whisk yeast into warm water, allowing the mixture to develop a frothy texture for 5 minutes, ensuring robust fermentation.
- Dough Preparation: Combine flour, sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Integrate activated yeast and olive oil, mixing until a cohesive dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Dough Proofing: Cover the kneaded dough with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm area for one hour, allowing it to develop complex flavors and increase in volume.
- Meat Filling Creation: Brown ground beef or sausage in a skillet, draining excess fat. Stir in pizza sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to concentrate flavors.
- Pizza Assembly: Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough and press into a greased deep-dish pan, trimming edges neatly. Layer mozzarella cheese as the base, followed by seasoned meat filling, mushrooms, bell peppers, and jalapeños.
- Topping Finalization: Add another layer of mozzarella cheese, strategically place pepperoni slices and remaining vegetables across the surface.
- Baking Process: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust turns golden-brown and cheese becomes bubbly and enticing.
- Serving Preparation: Remove from oven and allow pizza to rest briefly, letting layers settle before slicing and serving for optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Yeast Activation Tip: Warm water between 100-110°F ensures perfect yeast blooming without killing the microorganisms.
- Dough Kneading Technique: Consistent, firm kneading develops gluten structure, creating a stretchy, tender pizza crust with excellent texture.
- Moisture Management: Cover dough with damp cloth during rising to prevent surface from drying out and forming crusty skin that disrupts smooth expansion.
- Cheese Layer Strategy: Placing cheese directly on dough creates a moisture barrier, preventing soggy crust and maintaining crisp bottom layer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg